Opinion

Hot Topics:

World War II vet shares experience with York Tech students

Bill Mittel spent time with a military history class at York County School of Technology

By Angie Mason

amason@ydr.com @angiemason1 on Twitter

Updated:
11/09/2013 12:51:08 AM EST

Veteran Bill Mittel describes pictures taken during his time in the Navy during World War II during a presentation on Thursday in Kim Oberdick's military history class at the York County School of Technology. Oberdick brings in veterans from American wars to talk to students, many of whom indicated an interest in military careers. (Jeff Lautenberger — For the Daily Record/Sunday News)

William Mittel rapped on the classroom white board with a ruler as photos from his time serving in World War II were illuminated through a projector.

There were photos of a young Mittel with other members of the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, posing with his interpreter, and leaning on the Jeep he drove around the island.

Among the photos was one of a young woman signed, "Love, Doris," in the corner.

"That's my wife," Mittel, who served in Okinawa, Japan, for 14 months, told military history students at York County School of Technology. "That picture went with me all through the war."

Most of the pictures came with a story. Mittel, 87, of East Prospect, recalled his travels to Okinawa.

World War II veteran Bill Mittel stands in the main hallway after a presentation during Kim Oberdick's military history class at York County School of Technology. Mittel, who was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, shared stories of his service and pictures from scrapbooks. (Jeff Lautenberger — For the Daily Record/Sunday News)

"Thirty-three days on the Pacific Ocean," he said. No land in sight, and he was sick as a dog for days. "They could've thrown me over the side, and I wouldn't have cared."

York Tech started military history as an elective course last year at the school, said teacher Kim Oberdick, who is a veteran himself. He said he gets a mix of history and military buffs in the class. He likes having veterans visit -- a Vietnam vet will be visiting students Monday -- because it gives students more than if they read about it in a book or watch a movie.

"It's live," he said, noting veterans who have visited still get emotional when they talk about their experience. "It's just the emotion of someone who was there."

Advertisement

Mittel was a storekeeper, rising to the rank of petty officer first class.

He remembered a time he was on guard duty with a buddy in a foxhole. You could get pretty "jammed up" down there, he said, and he decided to stand up and stretch. As soon as he stood up, he felt the air from a bullet zipping over his head.

"I dropped straight down in the hole," he said, then grabbed his buddy's rifle and shot the Japanese sniper in a tree. "He didn't have protection. I did."

Mittel said he visited classes last year, too.

"I don't mind telling them what war was all about in the '40s," he said.

Isaac Ensminger, a sophomore, said it's unusual to have the chance to talk with World War II veterans now, since many are older or have passed away.

"It's a privilege to have him come and speak while we have him," he said.

Ensminger said you can't really imagine war unless you've been there, so having a veteran speak gives the students a better picture. He's always been interested in history, he said, and that's why he took the class.

"If we don't learn about history, then it's going to repeat itself," he said.

Junior Andrew Lebo said he plans to go into the military. Hearing about the war from a veteran is different than learning about it otherwise.

"You heard about their first-hand experiences," he said. "It definitely makes you want to listen more."

Contact Angie Mason at 771-2048.

Teacher Kim Oberdick, left, talks with World War II veteran Bill Mittel in Oberdick's military history class at York County School of Technology. (Jeff Lautenberger — For the Daily Record/Sunday News)